Auckland Botanic Gardens

A huge free garden full of native plants

Hours: Gardens daily 6:30am-8pm (Oct-Mar), to 6pm (Apr-Sep). Visitor centre 8am-4:30pm
Tickets: Free
Address: In Manurewa, south of the city beside the Southern Motorway

A large garden in the southern suburbs with no entry fee. Themed areas run from a native plant collection to roses and edible gardens. It is a quiet change of pace after the city sights, and the visitor centre has a cafe.